Don’t grow the size of Centennial’s government

Some would have residents believe that approval of a home-rule charter for Centennial would be the next best step for this city. Many of its proponents are the same ones who, seven years ago, promised a “virtual city” with low taxes and low overhead. What do we have today? We have a sales tax that is 66 percent higher than initially approved by the voters; a 2.5 percent new automobile tax; franchise taxes for gas, electric and cable; and a growing bureaucracy that now owns its own city hall.

All this just feeds a totally unnecessary layer of government we did not have eight years ago when the quality of life in unincorporated Arapahoe County was just as pleasant and manageable as it is today, but without the extra cost.

Home rule for Centennial will take us even further away from the so-called “virtual city” (which has vaporized into the ether of bureaucratic municipal mismanagement) and launch us into an ever more entrenched bureaucracy with more regulations which themselves carry higher costs for the citizens.

It’s really a matter of trust. If you believed the sales pitch for a virtual city and low costs seven years ago, then hopefully you will have learned your lessons and will not believe those who are promoting home rule today.

Since I moved to Centennial several years after it became a city, I did not know the supporters or opponents of Home Rule from Adam. I now understand that some of the folks who helped Centennial become a city are supporters of Home Rule, and some of the folks who opposed becoming a city are opposed to Home Rule. So what?

When I first heard about Home Rule, I was neutral, tending towards negative. I looked at the proposed Home Rule Charter objectively, saw the additional controls imposed by it, and agreed with the elimination of the two superfluous elected officials (Clerk and Treasurer). I became a supporter and continue to believe it’s the right thing to do. It’s not perfect, and neither was the US Constitution perfect when it was adopted, but I believe it is a great step forward for the city.

I wish that those opposing the Home Rule charter would please stop attacking the charter by attacking some of the poeple who support it. It just does not make sense. Please look at the charter objectively, and consider supporting it based on the additional positive things that it does. And, if you are concerned about what the elected officials might do as a result of the charter, be aware that such things can be undone by the citizenry and the elected officials can be recalled or voted out of office.

Tom Kocialski

Tom Kocialski

Doug,

Since I moved to Centennial several years after it became a city, I did not know the supporters or opponents of Home Rule from Adam. I now understand that some of the folks who helped Centennial become a city are supporters of Home Rule, and some of the folks who opposed becoming a city are opposed to Home Rule. So what?

When I first heard about Home Rule, I was neutral, tending towards negative. I looked at the proposed Home Rule Charter objectively, saw the additional controls imposed by it, and agreed with the elimination of the two superfluous elected officials (Clerk and Treasurer). I became a supporter and continue to believe it’s the right thing to do. It’s not perfect, and neither was the US Constitution perfect when it was adopted, but I believe it is a great step forward for the city.

I wish that those opposing the Home Rule charter would please stop attacking the charter by attacking some of the poeple who support it. It just does not make sense. Please look at the charter objectively, and consider supporting it based on the additional positive things that it does. And, if you are concerned about what the elected officials might do as a result of the charter, be aware that such things can be undone by the citizenry and the elected officials can be recalled or voted out of office.

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